Beijing says “Made in Europe” proposal creates barriers for Chinese companies; package targeting electric cars and raw materials
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated this Monday (April 27, 2026) that Beijing may adopt countermeasures if the European Union approves a plan to protect local industry.
The reaction targets , a proposal presented by the European Commission in March to stimulate production in the bloc. The package provides for local content requirements and rules to favor products made in the European Union in public procurement, subsidies and industrial support programs.
According to the Chinese ministry, the proposal creates barriers to foreign investment and discriminates against companies in the country. Beijing claims that the text imposes restrictions on strategic sectors, such as batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels and critical raw materials.
The company says the objective is to strengthen the bloc’s industrial base, create jobs and accelerate the decarbonization of the economy. The proposal includes requirements for low-carbon steel, cement and aluminum — or those produced in the European Union — in public procurement and support programs, as well as rules of origin for electric vehicles and zero-emission technologies.
The Chinese reaction comes amid trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels. The European Union is trying to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers in strategic chains, while China accuses the bloc of adopting protectionist measures under environmental and industrial justifications.
Plan targets electric cars and clean energy
The European proposal affects sectors in which China has a strong global presence. The country is one of the main manufacturers of batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels and components used in the energy transition.
According to the plan’s design, products supported by European public resources will have to meet criteria of local origin or production. In the case of electric vehicles, the discussion involves requirements that a relevant part of the components be produced in the European Union.
For Beijing, this type of rule could restrict Chinese companies’ access to the European market. For Brussels, the measure is a response to the loss of competitiveness of local industry and external dependence in sectors considered essential for the green economy.
